NEW DELHI: England's build-up to the T20 World Cup has hit a snag after delays in visa clearance for spinners Adil Rashid and Rehan Ahmed, a report has said.

According to The Guardian, the Indian government is yet to issue visas to the two players, both of whom are of Pakistani heritage. As a result, Rashid and Ahmed are unlikely to depart with the rest of the England squad this weekend for the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka, comprising three ODIs and three T20Is.

This has come after Pakistan-origin USA fast bowler Ali Khan's social media post claimed that his visa - along with those of other Pakistan-origin players - had been denied for travel to India.

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Rashid is presently featuring in the SA20, while Ahmed is in Australia playing in the Big Bash League, and there is optimism that both will travel directly from their respective locations once visa clearance is granted.

According to the report, the England and Wales Cricket Board has been informed that there are no issues with the applications and has also approached the UK government to help fast-track the process. However, there is still no clarity on when the matter will be resolved.

England's spin resources under strain

In the absence of Rashid and Ahmed, England are left with Liam Dawson as their only frontline spinner, which could force all-rounders Will Jacks and Jacob Bethell to shoulder a greater bowling workload than originally intended.

England begin their Sri Lanka tour on January 22 with the first ODI in Colombo.

Their T20 World Cup campaign starts against Nepal in Mumbai on February 8, and it remains to be seen whether both players are cleared in time for the tournament.

Bangladesh matches in question

It also remains to be seen if England's group game against Bangladesh will take place in Kolkata, as their opponents have insisted they will not travel to India following the fallout involving Mustafizur Rahman.

Bangladesh have threatened to pull out unless their matches are moved to a neutral venue, even as the BCCI hopes the original schedule will remain.

The controversy with Bangladesh began after the BCCI instructed the Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to remove fast bowler Mustafizur from their squad, following political tensions between the two countries.

(With PTI Inputs)